Reports say Panneerselvam is also planning to oust Team Sasikala from the party as he is planning to seek Election Commission's intervention in deciding jailed V Sasikala's role in the party. "He can not hold any party post since he was not a party member for a continuous five years", said the resolution.

Palaniswami was here to attend the swearing-in ceremony of M. Venkaiah Naidu as Vice President. "It is clear by implication that the affidavits (in support of Sasikala and Dhinakaran) filed by them ( EPS camp) were false and in any case can not be considered by the commission", it said. A meeting presided over by Palaniswami said the appointment of Dinakaran as deputy general secretary was against party rules.

A Senior leader from the O Panneerselvam-led faction said that Sasikala's removal and setting up of a judicial enquiry into AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa's death are "our fundamental demands for unification". Sources said that the merger can occur as early as August 15. Right now, the party has no plans to move a no-confidence motion. The actor was also critical of the ruling party, the AIADMK, asking people to email ministers with complaints of what he described as widespread corruption.

"If EPS revolts against Dinakaran one more time, then the government will fall", said an MLA who met Dinakaran. They want to convince BJP that they have taken some action against Dinakaran. Probably, the BJP wouldn't mind the government falling and going to fresh elections although the risks are very high because the present government is highly unpopular. EPS's continuation in power depends on the support of just five MLAs - if they switch sides, he will lose the majority in the assembly. The development comes close on the heels of Dhinkaran challenging the EPS camp to submit the resolution to the EC and charging them with forgery as it was printed on an AIADMK letterhead.

BJP national secretary H Raja said he did not wish to comment on claims that his party was trying to stabilise the situation.

Reportedly, Palaniswami will continue to serve as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and O Panneerselvam is likely to be instated as the deputy Chief Minister of the state.

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